City Connects is an evidence-based student support model that helps schools meet the academic, social-emotional, and family needs of students in under-resourced communities. Through a whole-child approach, City Connects places trained coordinators directly in partner schools to connect students with the services, opportunities, and support they need to succeed.
ThinkGive partners with eight City Connects schools—including East Boston Central Catholic School, Saint Columbkille Partnership School, Saint Michael School, Saint Theresa School, St. Anthony School, and St. Mary of the Hills School— where City Connects coordinators implement the ThinkGive program to bring relationship-centered social and emotional learning (SEL) to students. Through this curriculum, coordinators help students build confidence, connection, empathy, and leadership through reflection, discussion, and real-life action.
Partnership Spotlight: Saint Columbkille Partnership School
One strong example of this partnership is at Saint Columbkille Partnership School in Brighton, MA, where City Connects Coordinator Megan McShane has taught ThinkGive programming to middle school students for the past six years. Today, she and the middle school teaching team lead ThinkGive during advisory with every middle school grade, helping make SEL a consistent part of the school day.
Megan’s commitment shows students and staff that empathy, connection, and strong relationships are important parts of learning and school culture.
Her classroom was even featured on NBC Boston’s The Hub, highlighting how ThinkGive helps students build stronger connections and create a more caring school community.
In addition to her work at Saint Columbkille, Megan serves on the ThinkGive Educator Advisory Council, where she provides feedback on curriculum and helps strengthen the educator experience.
Measurable Student Impact
Across City Connects partner schools, students reported meaningful growth in their social and emotional skills after participating in ThinkGive:
– 91% said they were kinder to others.
– 91% felt more connected to family and teachers.
– 82% felt more confident in their ability to make a positive impact in their world.
Students also shared how ThinkGive influenced the way they think about themselves and others:
“ThinkGive helped me appreciate more people, do more kind things, and be a better person.”
“ThinkGive has made me kinder, where I feel like I am a better person.”
“I learned that I should care more for others.”
City Connects Educator Perspectives: Seeing Growth and Connection
“Over the past three years, ThinkGive has been a very positive experience. It has helped me build stronger connections with students while helping them grow both socially and emotionally. I have watched students use their ThinkGive learning to resolve conflicts and strengthen relationships both in and outside the classroom.” – Mikayla Sheehan, City Connects Coordinator
“ThinkGive has been an invaluable resource. What once took an entire day of searching for lesson plans online now takes a fraction of the time, and the impact on students has been remarkable. The most meaningful change has been in how students relate to one another. As we worked through the program, students began connecting on a deeper level, and the teasing we once saw started to fade.” – Tania Medeiros, City Connects Coordinator
Why This Partnership Matters
“City Connects and ThinkGive share a closely aligned mission: ensuring all young people—especially those in under-resourced communities—have the support they need to thrive. The City Connects Coordinators we work with play a critical role in helping schools integrate SEL into daily student life. Together, we’re seeing students build stronger relationships, greater confidence, and a deeper sense of belonging.” – Penny Austen, ThinkGive Executive Director
“ThinkGive provides unwavering support to our City Connects Coordinators, whether they are launching their very first year or managing a long-standing partnership together. It is incredibly reassuring to know that whenever our Coordinators reach out, ThinkGive responds with collaborative and solution-oriented guidance—all driven by a shared mission to impact as many students as possible.” — Jill O’Neil, City Connects Senior Manager of Coaching and School Partnerships
The City Connects schools that partner with ThinkGive receive support through ThinkGive’s SEL for Every Child Fund, which provides programming and implementation support at no cost to schools. In partnering with City Connects Coordinators, the ThinkGive program helps schools build more connected, compassionate learning communities while expanding access to high-quality SEL for students who need it most.
